New Bedford Cinema

New Bedford Cinema
O2 Academy Glasgow
The New Bedford Cinema pictured as the Carling Academy in 2003
Former names	Carling Academy
General information
Status	Complete
Type	Cinema/Concert Hall
Architectural style	Art Deco
Location	Gorbals, Glasgow, Scotland
Coordinates	55°51′N 4°15′W / 55.85°N 4.25°W / 55.85; -4.25Coordinates: 55°51′N 4°15′W / 55.85°N 4.25°W / 55.85; -4.25
Opening	1932 (1932)
Design and construction
Owner	Academy Music Group
Architect	Lennox and McMath
Other information
Seating capacity	2,500

The New Bedford Cinema was a Scottish cinema on Eglinton Street in the Gorbals area of Glasgow. The building now houses the O₂ Academy Glasgow.

It is a notable example of Art Deco architecture in the city.

History

The building was originally erected as the Eglinton Street United Secession Church in 1825. The church closed in 1920 and the building was converted into a cinema in 1921. The original Bedford Cinema was destroyed by a fire in March 1932. The cinema's owner, Bernard Frutin, immediately commissioned a replacement.

The New Bedford was designed by Lennox and McMath^[1] and was built by Mr A.B. King. The newly built cinema was opened on December 26th (Boxing Day) 1932.

Bernard Frutin sold the cinema to George Green in 1936.

The New Bedford Cinema screened its final film, a double bill of Dirty Harry and Klute, on July 8, 1973 and reopened on October 12 1973 as a Mecca bingo hall.

The building was bought by the McKenzie Group in November 2002 and underwent a massive £3 million restoration to be turned into the Carling Academy, Glasgow which opened on March 26, 2003 with a concert by Deacon Blue.

The building is a Category B listed building.^[1]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "DSA Building/Design Report: New Bedford Picture House". Dictionary of Scottish Architects. http://www.scottisharchitects.org.uk/building_full.php?id=210323. Retrieved 2009-01-03. 

External links

• Detailed history